The fire destroyed three residences, and other structures in the area are being checked for damage. Officials said the winds were clocked as high as 117 kilometres an hour, creating a perfect tinder box for two massive fires that grew quickly and blackened the sky.

About 100 residences between Granum and Fort Macleod, about 150 kilometres south of Calgary, were also on evacuation alert as a large grass fire fuelled by high winds burned nearby.

Visibility in the area was reduced because of heavy smoke. Two firefighters suffered non-life-threatening injuries while battling the flames, one was treated for smoke inhalation.

The Municipal District of Willow Creek had declared a state of emergency, but officials say the two grass fires are now under control.

Cynthia Vizzutti, deputy director of emergency management for the Willow Creek district, said some acreages and farms near Fort Macleod had been evacuated and displaced residents are being housed in Fort MacLeod.

Do you have pictures or video of the wind or grass fires plaguing southern Alberta today?